The second is a writer living in our time and expressing the critical and sceptical tendency of modern thought—M. Renan. He says: The scientific mission, having for its object the exploration of ancient Phœnicia, which I directed in 1860 and 1861, led me to reside on the frontiers of Galilee, and to travel there frequently. I have traversed in all directions the country of the Gospels, I have visited Jerusalem, Hebron and Samaria; scarcely any important locality of the history of Jesus has escaped me. All this history, which at a distance seems to float in the clouds of an unreal world, thus took a form, a solidity which astonished me. The striking agreement of the texts with the places, the marvellous harmony of the gospel ideal with the country which served it as a framework, were like a revelation to me. I had before my eyes a fifth gospel, torn, but still legible, and henceforward, through the recitals of Matthew and Mark, in place of an abstract being, whose existence might have been doubted, I saw living and moving, an admirable human figure.[279] The superstitious crusader and the cold sceptical critic thus agree in attesting the influence exerted upon them by “those holy fields.” The devotion of the one is kindled as he visits the earthly abode of the incarnate deity. The intellect of the other is convinced as he traces the footsteps of Jesus of Nazareth. To many of the readers of this volume it may not be granted to gaze upon the spots hallowed by memories of patriarchs and prophets, and apostles, and of our Lord himself. But all may reach “the better country, that is, a heavenly,” of which the earthly Canaan was but a type; all may share the vision and the blessedness of “the New Jerusalem,” “the city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” INDEX. Abner, reputed Tomb of, 36. Abraham, 33, 40, 90, 136, 143. Absalom, 38, 48, 89, 124. Aceldama, 126. Adullam, Cave of, 47. Ahab, 161, 170, 177. Ajalon, the Valley of, 22, 80. Anathoth, 134. Andromeda and Perseus, 11. Apples of Sodom, 69. Arabs, the, 13, 46, 168, 175, 215. Araunah the Jebusite, 118. Armageddon, 178. Balaam and Balak, 64, 77. Banias, _Cæsarea Philippi_, 217. Barak, 172. Barzillai, the Gileadite, 48. Bazaars, Eastern, 159. _Beeroth_, Bireh, 135. Benjamin, 131. _Bethany_, El-Azarîyeh, 83. _Bethel_, Beitîn, 135. Beth-horon, 23. Bethlehem, 41, 51. Bethsaida, 205. _Bethshan_, Beisan, 168. _Beth-shemesh_, Ain-shems, 21. Boaz, 46. _Cæsarea_, Kaisariyeh, 165. _Cæsarea Philippi_, Banias, 217. Caleb, 36. Calvary, 101. _Cana of Galilee_, Kefr Kenna (?), 193. Capernaum, 196, 205. Carmel, 169, 177. Chedorlaomer, 33. _Cherith_, Wady Kelt, 82. Chimham, 49. Chorazin, 205.